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Spring Fling 2003 - Custom Truck Show

Draggin' Sand, Florida Style

Photography by Justin Cross

Mini Truckin', August 01, 2003

Come March, you're sure to find at least two things happening in northern Florida. The first, of course, is spring break and all the craziness it brings to the Florida beaches. The second is a kick-ass show that goes by the name of Spring Fling. Spring Fling is hosted by Vital Signs Street Designs Custom Club and has steadily grown in size over the years. This year, more than 400 vehicles were brought to the beaches of Panama City, and thousands of spectators showed up to check out the action.

We made our way into town Friday night, and after grabbing some grub, we cruised down to the beach-side strip to see what was happening. There was a steady line of super-clean rides cruising up and down the strip, most just waiting for the po-po to turn its back so they could throw a few sparks on the asphalt. We knew right then that this year's show was going to be worth the wait.

After a good night's sleep, we drove down to the park under some excellent Florida weather. When we arrived at the gates, we could see our prediction had come true. Half of the show field was already filled with some of the best-looking minis we'd seen in a long time. It wasn't hard to see that everyone had been very busy during the winter months preparing for this year's show season. Before long, the other half of the field had filled, and we hadn't even been through the first half yet. There were so many original ideas showing up on these rides that we found it harder and harder to keep moving onto the next one. It wasn't unusual to find yourself caught talking to the owner about his or her mini.

Once we made a few passes through the field, we took a break to check out some of the vendors that were on hand for the event. Among the tents that were pitched were Street Glow and the ever-popular Drop 'Em Wear? guys who were selling shirts faster than they could put them on the tables. Once we perused the merchandise along the vendor alley and hit the snack stands, we called it a day.

Sunday's weather took a turn in the wrong direction as rain fell on the grounds off and on during the course of the day, but it didn't seem to bring everyone's spirits down. Vital Signs had several activities planned, including a variety of hilarious games that had clubs competing against each other for prizes. Later in the day, the much-anticipated Miss Spring Fling contest began, and it featured some of the most beautiful women from all over the country dancing for a cash prize of $300. The spectators were the real winners in that contest! Once everyone calmed down, Vital Signs began announcing this year's winners and handing out some of the best-looking trophies anyone could hope to win, including solid glass trophies going to the Best of Show winners. Spring Fling 2003 was truly the best in the series so far, and if the trend continues, next year's show will be truly awesome.

Vital Signs would like to thank everyone who helped sponsor the event and, most of all, everyone who came out and made this year's event so huge. If you think you would like to make an appearance next year, be sure to keep up with the details at Vital Signs' Web site, www.vitalsigns.org, and go ahead and make plans to be there. We promise you won't be sorry.

See all 18 Photos

By Justin Cross

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